>12/02/14

Three-time Ginetta Champion Tom Ingram is set to take his motorsport career to the next level after announcing plans to run in the British Touring Car Championship with the Hughes/Speedworks team, at the wheel of their Hughes backed Toyota Avensis.

The current Michelin Ginetta GT4 SuperCup Champion, who featured on no less than 22 podiums of the 27 rounds in his way to the title, also claimed the Ginetta Junior Championship crown in 2010 and the Ginetta G50 Cup title in 2011.

Speaking on his step up into the BTCC, Ingram said; “To make it to the BTCC is a dream come true. It's what sparked my passion into motorsport 15 years ago, and to now be able to say I'm racing in the BTCC is something I am so excited about I can't describe! I cannot thank Speedworks and Tony Hughes enough for giving me this amazing opportunity to drive against seven previous champions this season. It's going to be a steep learning curve but I have the right team, car, sponsors and supporters to do the best job possible.”

He continued; “If it hadn't have been for Ginetta's support my career would have ended years ago. The passion, knowledge and commitment the Ginetta family have in helping young talent forwards is second to none.”

As part of the British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC) Rising Star scheme, and also a Motor Sports Association (MSA) Academy Member, the 20 year old from High Wycomb is already a popular face on the motorsport circuit.

Ginetta Chairman Lawrence Tomlinson continued; “Tom Ingram is a great example of the success of the Ginetta motorsport career ladder, having moved from a Ginetta-backed karting series, through each of our British Touring Car Championship support series with the Juniors, G50 Cup and most recently, the G55 – having won each of these Championships outright. It’s very impressive to see how Tom has been able to use his success within the Ginetta platform to build an impressive portfolio of sponsors and market himself within the media, and we look forward to following him on the next stage of his journey.”

It is not only Ingram who has had success with Ginetta, as the Hughes/Speedworks team recently took a class victory in the Dubai 24 Hours in their Ginetta G50 GT4 car with Speedworks sponsor, Hughes Safety Showers boss Tony Hughes and Speedworks Team Boss Christian Dick behind the wheel.

Speedworks sponsor, Hughes Safety Showers boss Tony Hughes said; "It's great to have such a talented young lad behind the wheel of the Avensis, Tom has some genuine driving talent and we're all hopeful of some 'giant killing' results. The Hughes/Speedworks team have strong links with Ginetta and we are all looking forward to being a part of Tom’s continuing journey, and I see no reason whatsoever that we can't grab a few podium spots and, who knows, maybe a win or two!"

Speedworks also ran 2011 Michelin Ginetta GT4 SuperCup Champion Adam Morgan in his BTCC debut year after he won a fully funded season in the Championship, and Team Boss Christian Dick is overjoyed to have Tom joining the team; “Tom has stood out as one of the brightest young talents coming up through the ranks for a few years now, he is extremely professional and always presents himself very well. All of us at Speedworks are incredibly proud and excited to have him on-board."

The Team have several tests lined up for Ingram to get to grips with the Toyota at Silverstone, Oulton and Brands, plus the BTCC's official test at their Media Day at Donington Park on the 18th March. The first round of the Championship will take place at Brands Hatch on the 30th March.

>03/02/2014

SEB MORRIS JOINS CATERHAM F1 TEAM’S RACING ACADEMY

Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup racer Seb Morris has today, Monday, 3rd February, been confirmed as the latest addition to the Caterham Racing Academy – meaning the 18-year-old will compete in 2014 with the full support of the Caterham F1 Team’s driver program.

Seb, from Marford near Wrexham, makes the step-up to Formula Renault 2.0 NEC this year with Fortec Motorsport after becoming Vice-Champion of the BRDC Formula 4 Championship in 2013 with Hillspeed.

Ending last season with one win and nine other podiums, he was also selected as a finalist for the prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC Award. Outside the cockpit, Seb works with Jack Wills as one of its ‘Young Britons’ and as an ambassador for TAG Heuer.

Mia Sharizman, Head of Caterham Racing Academy, commented: “Seb is another outstanding addition to our list of Academy drivers. His talent speaks for itself and we are very pleased to be able to provide him with the full range of support available to all our Academy drivers as he makes the step up to Formula Renault NEC. He will be a strong contender for championship honours this season and, if, as we firmly believe he will, he fulfills his promise, the UK will have another serious motorsport talent to back.”

Seb added: “Joining the Caterham Academy is pretty huge for me. Matt Parry [2013 Formula Renault 2.0 NEC Champion] is someone I look up to, and who I had a real battle with in the McLaren Autosport Awards. I am following his footsteps this year, both as a Caterham driver and in NEC and I am looking to win it as Matt did. To be part of an F1 team, with all the support and knowledge that brings, is a massive step forwards for my career.”

Seb’s motorsport career began in 2007 when he started racing karts aged 11. By 2010, he had progressed to the Ginetta Junior Championship where he showed his ability and became the youngest ever podium finisher and Winter Series Champion at 14-years-old. In 2011, Seb won the main Ginetta Junior title and was also awarded the Welsh Young Driver of the Year accolade.

In 2012, Seb was selected as a member of the Motor Sports Association (MSA) Academy and was also named a British Racing Drivers’ Club Rising Star. He moved into single-seater racing in the UK based Protyre Formula Renault Championship and finished the season as the highest placed rookie and third overall. He followed this by becoming the Winter Series Champion.

ENDS

>13/5/2013

ANDREW TAYLOR CLAIMS ST MOTORSPORTS FIRST WIN AT SILVERSTONE

Shawyer-Taylor Motorsports Andrew Taylor yesterday claimed his maiden win of the season after a long battle with fellow Fiesta ST racer Matthew Fooley. In damp and tricky conditions Andrew fought his way through from 6th place on the grid to take the race lead at half distance. From then on Andrew and Matt fought tooth and nail for the win which eventually finished in Taylors favour. The former Class B Champion Talyor was delighted to be back on the top step of the podium and commented.

'It was a tough race and to come through from sixth on the grid was very satisfying, after a difficult start to the season at Rockingham and then us opting to mis the second round at Snett to further develop the car - the win here is a great result for myself and ST Motorsport. We are now looking forward to the rest of the season and hopefully many more wins'.

Andrew now lies 9th overall in the championship in the bumper 34 car grid and with 10 races still to go in 2013 anything can happen with his sights still firmly set on championship success. Last weekends race highlights can be seen on Motors TV channel at 17.50 on Thursday 30th May.

Shawyer-Taylor Motorsport provide test and track day support to any Junior or Senior Fiesta drivers, full training can be given at private test venue - no license needed and car hire available. Driver Coach Matt Shawyer is currently working with Junior drivers as young as 13 in preparation for their graduation onto the Fiesta grid. Any interested drivers should contact Matt for further information on 07980 783643 to talk through your options.

>29/04/2013

MORRIS LEADS F4 CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER THREE PODIUMS AT SILVERSTONE GP

Welsh race ace Seb Morris made an outstanding start to the BRDC Formula 4 Championship season at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit over the weekend, 27th/28th April, to bag three podium finishes and take the early championship lead in the prestigious new single-seater category.

Although unsure of what to expect in qualifying and race trim, having been disappointed with the pace in testing on Friday, 26th April, the Marford 17-year-old and his Hillspeed team turned their fortunes around dramatically on Saturday and Sunday with three sensational race performances.

Finishing third in round one, after a mightily impressive drive from seventh on the grid, Seb just missed out on his first F4 victory in the second encounter – having led for several laps – and added another runner-up spot in race three, coupled with the fastest lap, to seal an excellent weekend.

As well as receiving his round two trophy from British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) President Derek Warwick, the Marford youngster was presented with his round three silverware by Red Bull Racing’s FIA Formula One World Championship ace Mark Webber.

“It’s been a great weekend, especially after being a second and a half off the pace on Friday”, stated Seb, “It was a mountain to climb but we did it, we’ve got three podiums from the first weekend and scored big points which is great. We’re the only ones to have been on the podium in every race and that sort of consistency is what you need to challenge for a championship.

“We missed out on a win, which is a shame, but from the positions we started in, seventh, sixth and then third, I’m really happy with the results we’ve taken away and it’s fantastic to end the first F4 weekend leading the championship.”

Although disappointed to start round one on Saturday from seventh on the grid, Seb made a terrific getaway to quickly break into the top five and he then usurped Hillspeed team-mate Struan Moore on lap two for fourth place.

With the top three having already built a substantial advantage, the Ginetta Ambassador set about reeling them in and on lap five he was handed a golden opportunity when the two leaders tangled. He gladly moved into third place and, despite pressure in the closing laps, held on for the podium.

Beginning Sunday morning’s second round from sixth position – the starting order decided from the result of race one with the exception of the top eight being ‘reversed’ – the British Racing Drivers’ Club Rising Star made a sensational launch to rocket into second before pressuring for the lead.

Setting the early pace, Seb piled on the pressure to Jack Barlow and produced a fantastic move at Village on lap three to move into the lead. Building a cushion of around one second by mid-distance, he was then the one to come under pressure and, on lap nine, Seb was edged back to second again.

“I drove the best I could in race two but there were several factors which didn’t enable me to win it”, he explained, “There was a big headwind down Hangar Straight so every lap I was creating a huge hole in the air for Jack [Barlow] to catch back up. The tyres went off near the end but the main thing was my mirrors dropped down, so I couldn’t defend like I wanted as I wasn’t sure where he was.”

In the third and final race of the weekend, Seb lined-up third on the grid and took second place into Maggotts before trying to hunt down pole-sitter Jake Dalton. With the leader on newer Yokohama tyres though, Seb’s task was a pretty impossible one so he instead put his focus on taking a very comfortable second place and, with it, the series lead.

Rounds four, five and six of the 2013 BRDC Formula 4 Championship will take place three weeks from now, on 18th/19th May, at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent where the category will support the spectacular DTM touring car championship.

>01/04/2013

SENSATIONAL MASSOT WINS ON FIRST WEEKEND IN GINETTA GT SUPERCUP

Spanish teenager Pepe Massot stunned the established order in the Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit over the weekend, 30th/31st March, by claiming a remarkable maiden win during only his, and the Hillspeed team’s, second race in the category.

Graduating with the Hathersage squad from the Ginetta Junior sister series, where he made his car racing debut in 2012, the 17-year-old from Barcelona really has taken no time at all to master the infinitely more powerful Ginetta G55.

“Pepe did a fantastic job this weekend, we couldn’t have asked for more from him”, said Hillspeed team principal Richard Ollerenshaw, “He’s been on the pace from the off, he was very competitive in qualifying and to win in only our second ever race in this championship was just incredible really.

“Everyone at the team has worked incredibly hard as well and they deserve a lot of credit. To have competed against, and beaten, well established Ginetta GT Supercup teams on our debut is as much as we could have hoped for.”
Impressing in his first Ginetta GT Supercup qualifying session on Saturday morning with the fifth quickest time, a mere 0.3 seconds shy of pole position, Massot climbed as high as fifth in the opening encounter and raced strongly before having to settle for sixth five laps from the finish.

Round two, though, was where the Hillspeed youngster really made his mark, first slicing through from sixth on the grid into fourth and then taking third on lap three. Following an early Safety Car period, Massot set about challenging reigning champion Carl Breeze and on lap 12 he made the breakthrough to move into second place.

Then, only two laps later, the Spaniard got alongside race leader Jamie Orton and moved ahead to take a memorable lead. Pulling a second clear by lap 17, Massot did come under increasing pressure during the closing stages but delivered a drive showing maturity beyond his years to fend off the chasing pack and sail to a remarkable debut victory.

Round three, on Sunday afternoon, produced another great performance from Massot and early on he was well on course to make it two podiums in as many races. Lining up fourth on the grid, the teenager carved his way through to second and was just 0.6 seconds behind former Hillspeed driver Tom Ingram – who won the 2010 Ginetta Junior title for the team – into lap two.

At Graham Hill Bend though, an attempted pass by Breeze pushed Massot out onto the grass and the loss of momentum dropped him to fifth. Up into fourth prior to the appearance of the Safety Car at the start of lap four, when racing resumed Massot held station but was bundled back to seventh before the conclusion.

Double points finish for Ginetta Junior rookie White

The weekend’s action at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit also marked the car racing debut of Hillspeed newcomer Josh White, the 16-year-old karting graduate making his Ginetta Junior Championship bow after winning a scholarship established in connection with the Derbyshire team.

Qualifying 12th fastest for the first race, just 0.4 seconds shy of the top 10, the Ilkley youngster’s second best time was consistently strong and placed him on the sixth row again for round two of the season – this time little more than 0.1 seconds outside the top 10.

In the season opener on Saturday afternoon, which took place in slippery conditions, White dropped to the tail of the field at the start but recovered to battle over 12th place by mid-distance before settling for 13th position. In the televised second round on Sunday, he posted an improved 11th place finish to cap an encouraging first weekend.

“Josh had a huge amount to learn at Brands Hatch but he didn’t disgrace himself at all, he listened to everything we told him and he made some positive steps forward”, said Ollerenshaw, “He kept out of trouble and, importantly, finished both races which is the target we set before the weekend.”

Hillspeed’s Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup and Ginetta Junior squads will be back in action three weeks from now, over the weekend 20th/21st April, at Donington Park in Leicestershire. Before then, the team’s Protyre Formula Renault Championship outfit will make its first race appearance of the year for the opening two rounds of its 2013 campaign – also at Donington Park – on Sunday, 14th April.

ENDS

>28/03/2013

CHAMPION RACER MORRIS REVEALS BRDC FORMULA 4 SWITCH

Multiple motor racing champion Seb Morris will continue to compete on UK soil in 2013 after today, Thursday, 28th March, confirming a switch to the brand new BRDC Formula 4 Championship – a late change from his original plans to race in the Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup this year.

Balancing a number of factors in recent weeks, not least a heavily compromised pre-season testing schedule, the 17-year-old from Marford, in close consultation with his management team, has taken the decision to move into F4. While remaining very much part of the Fortec Motorsports ‘family’, with whom he was due to race in Formula Renault 2.0 NEC, the British Racing Drivers’ Club Rising Star will now be reunited with the Hillspeed squad – which took him to two Ginetta Junior crowns – for his Formula 4 title challenge.

Outlining the situation, Seb’s manager Andy Meyrick commented: “With Seb’s A-Level and MSA Academy course commitments, together with a delay in the receipt of confirmed overseas sponsorship, it became apparent our preparations for the 2013 Formula Renault 2.0 NEC campaign were compromised and not to the level we would deem appropriate to challenge for the title. “We will now mount a challenge for the F4 Championship instead, which we consider to be a very meaningful and competitive BRDC backed category, with the Hillspeed team.”

Seb is relishing the prospect of reuniting with the Richard Ollerenshaw-led Hillspeed squad which helped him become the youngest ever winner of the Ginetta Junior Winter Series in 2010 – aged just 14 – before going on to claim the main 2011 Ginetta Junior Championship title.

He will also continue his association with driver coach Matt Shawyer who has been a key part of the Ginetta Ambassador’s car racing career since day one. Added to the aforementioned Ginetta Junior titles, the pair will be aiming for a fourth successive championship victory together having also won the 2012 Protyre Formula Renault BARC Winter Series crown with Fortec.

“I really am looking forward to competing in BRDC Formula 4 this year and delivering as many wins as I can for Ginetta, who I will be proudly representing, and the guys at Hillspeed”, Seb commented, “With TV coverage on ITV4 and Motors TV and backing from the BRDC, Jonathan Palmer [Chief Executive of MotorSport Vision] has created a very exciting championship package.

“I want to thank Richard Dutton [Fortec owner], and his team, for all they have done for me and to also confirm I am looking forward to embarking on a concerted test programme with Fortec to fully prepare for a European campaign of some sort in 2014. This may also entail some European races later this year dependent on my, and the team’s, commitments.”

The Cosworth-powered MSV F4-013 chassis which Seb will pilot this year will be resplendent in the famous orange colour scheme of Ginetta Cars. His first test outing is scheduled to take place in the next few weeks.

Rounds one, two and three of the 2013 BRDC Formula 4 Championship will take place on 27th/28th April at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit in Northamptonshire. The 24-race season will conclude over the weekend 28th/29th September at Donington Park GP Circuit in Leicestershire.

ENDS

>12/11/2012

THIRD TITLE IN AS MANY YEARS FOR RISING STAR MORRIS

Seb Morris won the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Winter Series with Michelin during a dramatic finale at Rockingham on Saturday, 10th November, to secure an outstanding third car racing title in as many years – and his first single-seater crown in only his rookie season in the discipline

Taking a dominant victory during the first of two races at the Northamptonshire venue’s 1.94-mile International Sportscar Circuit, having breezed to an utterly dominant double pole position during the earlier qualifying session, the 16-year-old did what he needed to in the final round with a fourth place finish giving him the coveted title.

“I’m delighted to have secured a championship in my first year of single-seater racing”, said the Marford-based driver, “The entire team has worked together the whole weekend to prevail against some seriously talented opposition.”

Overnight rain left the Rockingham track surface extremely slippery but Seb mastered the conditions to bag pole position for round three, 0.4 seconds clear of his closest challenger. He then posted a very consistent second best time to secure the round four pole by an even greater 0.5 seconds.

Making a good start to race one, the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) Rising Star fended off a two-pronged attack through Turn One of the Rockingham Oval to establish himself in the lead – one he wouldn’t relinquish despite twice seeing his lead eroded by the appearance of the Safety Car.

Not putting a wheel wrong, Seb controlled the race and was never realistically threatened on his way to a near-six second winning margin. He also posted the fastest lap of 1m31.625 seconds (76.22mph) to claim two vital bonus points, which would ultimately prove decisive in the outcome of the title.

With the track continually drying throughout the day, albeit at a slow rate, tyre choice became a factor for the fourth and final round of the Winter Series. With the other front-runners opting for treaded rubber, Seb and the Fortec team decided to cover that fact by running with the same tyres.

His initial launch from pole was good but the car bogged down momentarily, dropping the Ginetta Ambassador to fourth on the run to Deene Hairpin but he quickly regained third at Chapman Curve which he knew would be good enough to claim his first single-seater championship.

By the ninth tour Matthew Brabham, who gambled on slick tyres, had carved his way through the field on the drying track and caught the leaders. Seb, realising Brabham wasn’t eligible to score points, let him through, as he explained: “In the latter stages of the race I simply knew I had to maintain position, conserve my tyres and drive with the championship, not the race result, in mind.

“It’s the perfect way to end my first year in single-seaters and I just want to thank all the guys at Fortec for their hard work all year, in the main championship and the Winter Series. I also want to say a big thank you to my driver coach Matt Shawyer, manager Andy Meyrick and, of course, mum and dad and Ginetta Cars for their support.”

CHAMPION: Seb Morris, 113pts

>29/10/2012

Double Podium for ST Motorsport at Brands Hatch!

Shawyer-Taylor Motorsport enjoyed a seasons best performance at the weekend securing a double podium in the Ford Fiesta Championship. Supporting the famous Formula Ford Festival, the Fiesta ST Championship saw a record entry of 29 cars confirming its place as one of the most competitive and affordable saloon car championships in the UK .

The weekend got off to a great start for ST Motorsports 'Andrew Taylor' when he secured Pole Position in the dying seconds of qualifying on the wet but drying track. Qualifying at the front of the 29 car strong grid by just 0.024s was a brilliant achievement and really outlined him as one of the main contenders for the weekends two races.

Race 1 saw Andrew lining up on Pole Position which unfortunately was still wet due to the previous days weather. This did hamper his get away and he dropped into 3rd position as the cars ended to first lap. Andrew quickly caught the race leaders and made his move into surtees to take the race lead back. This is how it remained for the next 5 laps until rain started to fall, with all the cars on slick tyres track conditions were treacherous and Andrew after a few big moments had to settle for a 3rd place finish - His and ST Motorsports first podium at the biggest event of the year!

Race 2 saw Andrew start from P2. After a great getaway he quickly moved to the front of the field at the end of the first lap and started to pull out a instant lead. As the race progressed and now carrying 10kgs of success ballast (from the first race) the tyres were starting to wear and Andrew was being pulled back in by the chasing cars (Trigwell and Langridge). With 3 laps to go Andrew was now under pressure and the crowd were treated to a fantastic 3 way fight for the lead. As the last lap beckoned Langridge got a run on Taylor up to Druids to move into the lead. It was close at the finish where Andrew secured 2nd place and his second straight podium of the weekend!

The focus will now turn to next years Ford Fiesta Championship where Andrew Taylor and ST Motorsport will be aiming for race wins and championship success in their first full year of competition. ST Motorsport also have a second newly built Fiesta ST available for winter testing for both Junior and Senior classes. For information on test days, trackdays and championship drives for 2013 please contact Matt Shawyer for details - 07980 783643.

>22/10/2013

MORRIS OPENS WINTER SERIES ACCOUNT WITH VICTORY

Fortec Motorsports driver Seb Morris made an excellent start to his Protyre Formula Renault BARC Winter Series with Michelin title bid at a rain-hit Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit over the weekend, 20th/21st October, with victory during round one followed by a top four result in round two.

Ending the first weekend of the Winter Series just two points shy of the top of the championship, the 16-year-old British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) Rising Star has a fantastic chance of securing his third car racing title in as many years when the championship resumes three weeks from now.

Making a strong start to the rain-affected Brands Hatch weekend, Seb posted the fastest time of the day during pre-event testing on Friday, 19th October, a remarkable 0.9 seconds clear at the head of the field. In qualifying though, he had to settle for third on the grid for both races.

Producing a great start to round one on Saturday afternoon, the Marford-based teenager launched past the stalled car of Gustav Malja and ran close behind leader Matt Mason for the first half of the race, the pair trading fastest laps.

Just a second behind Mason going into lap nine, Seb kept the pressure on and part-way through the lap his rival pushed just a bit too hard as he went off the road – enabling the Fortec driver to sweep past into the lead which he maintained to the chequered flag on lap 12. Winning by almost eight seconds, he only just missed out on the bonus points for fastest lap by a mere 0.1 seconds.

“He [Mason] was on the edge from the start, we were both pushing so hard and that meant the tyre life was very short”, explained the Ginetta Ambassador, “When we got past lap five or six the tyres completely went off, so I adjusted my driving and I think that paid off. The main thing with the Winter Series is to finish all four races, there are no drop rounds so you can’t afford a bad result.”

The weather for Sunday’s televised race was dreadful, persistent and worsening rain throughout the day rendering visibility extremely poor. Seb made another good start, taking second place at Druids on the first lap, and he proceeded to reel-in leader Mason.

Tucked right up under the rear wing of his rival going into Clearways at the end of lap one, the Welsh racer managed to cut to the inside line on the run through Clark Curve and held on into the second tour to grab the lead. Mason hit back into Druids but Seb immediately returned the favour with a great pass into the next turn, Graham Hill Bend.

On the run into the left-hander at Surtees though, the slightest of twitches for his FR 2.0 pitched his car off the circuit in the horrendously slippery conditions. Recovering in eighth place, Seb mounted a rapid recovery and by the end of lap three he was in fifth position.

Another unfortunate moment, while pushing to try and take fourth from Michael Epps, resulted in a spin but Seb again recovered well and climbed back into fifth from seventh before moving into fourth on the last lap of the race.

“When I was behind [Michael] Epps I couldn’t see a thing in the spray and I must have just caught the edge of the kerb which spun me round”, explained the Abbey Gate College student, “I managed to fight back from there and the car was there for me towards the end. It’s unfortunate the way race two turned out but I’m only two points behind going into Rockingham, so we’re right in the chase.”

Rockingham International Sportscar Circuit, near Corby in Northamptonshire, will host the decisive third and fourth rounds of the Winter Series on Saturday, 10th November.

>22/10/2013

MASSOT ROUNDS OUT SEASON WITH ELEVENTH ROOKIE WIN

Hillspeed’s Pepe Massot secured his 11th Rookie Cup victory, and seventh outright podium, of the Ginetta Junior Championship season at Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit over the weekend, 20th/21st October, during the final event of the 2012 campaign.

Racing to an excellent second place finish overall in round 19 on Saturday afternoon, the talented Spaniard was on course for an outright win – which would have been the third of his sensational debut season in cars – but contact into Druids as he defended the lead on lap five put him wide.

Massot had taken the lead off the start, having qualified on pole position earlier in the day, and despite monumental pressure he drove well to keep the chasing pack behind. Although dropping to third after the contact at the hairpin, Pepe pressed on and took second into Surtees on lap six before finishing the race just 0.7 seconds shy of the win – although taking a dominant Rookie Class victory.

In Sunday’s final race of the season, round 20, worsening rain made conditions very challenging but Massot found the grip he needed from second on the grid to make a good start and he ran side-by-side with pole-sitter, and eventual champion, Charlie Robertson into Paddock Hill Bend.

Slipping to third on the exit after being edged slightly wide, Massot was then put off the road at Hawthorn midway through the opening lap after tangling with race one aggressor Niall Murray and dropped back to eighth position. Mounting a sterling recovery, the 16-year-old worked his way back into fourth part way through lap four where he remained to the finish – second in the Rookie Cup.

For team-mate Freddie Lee, his fifth weekend in the championship was one of mixed fortunes as he retired on lap two of the opening encounter following an unfortunate excursion – having begun the race in 13th position.

Beginning round 20 from 13th place as well, the Ginetta Junior rookie enjoyed a much better outing in very difficult conditions and climbed into the top 12 early on before moving into 10th two laps later. Following a brief Safety Car period, the action resumed over a single lap with Lee taking ninth place at the finish, fourth in the Rookie Cup.

“It’s been a good year and Pepe has driven fantastically in his first season, he really deserved the outright win on Saturday so we’re very disappointed with what happened there”, said team principal Richard Ollerenshaw, “Robust driving in both races cost us two wins as far as I’m concerned, we had the fastest car and best driver in the conditions but Pepe was hit in both races which wasn’t on.

“Things like that have got to be policed properly otherwise it’s very bad for the championship and its profile. Even so, Pepe had a very strong weekend and Freddie bounced back very well from his race one disappointment to finish fourth best rookie in race two.”

>13/7/2012

FORMULA RENAULT ROOKIE MORRIS HUNGRY FOR CROFT SUCCESS

Welsh racing driver Seb Morris aims to return to winning ways at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire next weekend, 21st/22nd July, when rounds eight and nine of the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship kick-off the second half of the 2012 season.

Arriving at the popular North East track third in the driver standings, having slipped from the series lead last month at Thruxton when engine problems in qualifying ruined his weekend, the 16-year-old says he and his Fortec Motorsports team will be back – quite literally – firing on all cylinders.

“Thruxton was really disappointing, I felt confident going into the weekend but the car wasn’t up to scratch with the engine problem”, said the Marford racer, “The whole team has worked really hard since to make sure we have no such problems again though. It was a bit of a kick up the backside for us all so we’ve upped our game and we’re intending to be back stronger than ever at Croft.

“I’ve got my GCSEs out of the way now as well, all of that piles up when you’re balancing school and the racing and it can be quite tiring. Now we’ve got a summer ahead to just train and race which I’m really looking forward to, hopefully starting with two really good results at Croft.”

Prior to the Thruxton weekend, Seb had dominated qualifying since the beginning of the season with five pole positions from five attempts. The power issues encountered in the grid-determining session for rounds six and seven last time out though resulted in eighth row starts for each encounter.

Racing superbly in the opener to claim a deserved top 10 finish, the Ginetta Ambassador’s run of misfortune bit him once again in race two when he was robbed of another potential top 10 at the very least after being caught-up in a multi-car accident on the second lap.

Even so, the MSA Academy youngster will arrive at Croft only 10 points shy of second place in the championship standings – such has been the superb level of performance so far in his maiden season of single-seater action.

Aside from his sensational qualifying form, with three wins from the seven races contested so far Seb has the most victories of any Protyre Formula Renault BARC driver in 2012. In addition, he has posted the fastest race lap on two occasions.

“My aim is to try and fight for all five wins before we get to Silverstone for the season finale”, he added, “There’s no pressure though, it’s all quite exciting actually knowing we’re going into the second half of the year third in the championship. When we started the season I never expected to be in this position at the halfway point of my first year in single-seaters. It’s been fantastic so far.”

The fourth race meeting of the 2012 Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship season will begin on Saturday, 21st July, at Croft with a short 15-minute practice session prior to the round eight and nine qualifying sessions at 12.10 and 14.40. On raceday, Sunday, 22nd July, the first encounter will get underway at 13.10 with the second beginning at 16.30.

2010 Trackdays

Matt is now taking bookings for 2010 trackdays! Experience the thrill of driving your own road car to its limits in a safe environment at one of the country’s most prestigious circuits, Silverstone GP, Brands Hatch or how about a visit to Spa or the nostalgic Nurburgring?

If you don’t want to use your own car why not use one of our Lotus Exiges, the perfect track day car with an exceptional power to weight ratio and equally impressive handling. Quotes available, just email your requirements, track dates can be found at www.goldtrack.co.uk

>15/05/10

2010 Trackdays

For 2010 Matt will be competing in selected rounds of the Ginetta G20 Challenge, please see ‘Racing Season’ for the dates and come along and support Matt on his racing return in 2010!

>08/12/04

Matt continues impressive form in Spanish test....

Matt Shawyer has successfully completed his two day Spanish testing programme with the support of Southdown based company 'RMC - The Car Agents'. The Albacete Circuit based in southern Spain was the ideal location for Matt to test the Formula Renault racing car which is the next logical step after winning the BRDC Single Seater Championship in 2004.

Matt got to grips with the Formula Renault car after just a handful of laps and set some competitive times in both the wet and dry conditions. Matt said 'the conditions were not perfect but I learnt a lot and I was pleased to post competitive times with the track time we had available, top Renault outfit team JLR were also present which provided a strong benchmark and I think we proved just what can be achieved in 2005'.

Hillspeed Racing is committed to competing in the Formula Renault Championship for 2005 and were very impressed with Matt's performance, team boss Richard Ollerenshaw said 'the data retrieved from the car shows just what a talented driver Matt is and his performance and lap times were excellent considering this was his first ever run in a Formula Renault car'.